Push button controls for washing machines, clothes driers and other motorized equipment



June 2, 1959 I. NAXON 2,338, 85

PUSH BUTTON commons FOR WASHING mcmwss. morass mamas AND OTHER uowomzsn EQUIPMENT Filed July 31, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 e 5 so 2| as us 27 +5 I 2 M 2 d f 1 I! l.

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4 unvme NAXON W ATTORNEYS.

June 2, 1959 NAXON 2,

PUSH BUTTON CONTROLS FOR vmsumc MACHINES, CLOTHES DRIERS AND OTHER MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT 2 Sheeiis-Sheet 2 Filed July 31, 1953 INVENTOR'. IRVING NAXON Elm ATTORNEYS.

United States PatentO Application July 31, 1953, Serial No. 371,607

6 Claims. (Cl- 161-1) My invention relates to controls for washing machines and like appliances designed to secure advantages in the treatment of different types of clothes, whereby to handle them in the most eflicient manner. Ordinary washing machines or driers require the attendant to decide on the choice of materials or clothes treated and on the timing of the operations in the machine. Generally, this is a matter of guesswork; also, time is lost here and there because of the wrong application of materials or time periods to the operation of the machine. Laundries and like industrial establishments have recognized'the value of the proper choice and timing of treatments for various materials, and some employ mechanical or electrical controls for securing the proper timing and sequence of treatments designed to lend the operations a high degree of efficiency. However, the nearest suggestion to the intelligent treatment of materials in household washing machines and driers is in the form of instructions which are intended to be followed by the housewife when the clothes are deposited or treated in the machine. In many instances, a housewife does not have the time or patience to study instructions, so that she simply follows the usual practices incident to the operations of washing or drying the clothes. In order to gain some advantages to the housewife which are secured in laundries and other industrial establishments, it is one object of the present invention to provide a control which has a set time rating.

A further object is to design the novel control with a series of push buttons designed to procure the timing when pressed.

A still further object is to arrange the push buttons in a row for use with a washing machine or other appliance designed to start the same on the pressing of any push button, and to stop the same automatically when an operation incident to the push button has been completed.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an interior view of a typical washing machine, showing the novel control installed'therein;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are, respectively, detail sections on the lines 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation of the control as seen from the section line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a similar section, partly broken away, taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view of the control as seen from the righthand side of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a group perspective view showing the relation between a number of push bars to a timing feed; and

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawings indicates the housing of a typical washing machine at 20. The housing contains the usual tub 21 with a motor 22 below the same for driving the shaft 23 2 which operates the agitator (not shown) inside the tub 21. A simple electrical circuit 24 is illustrated and includes conductors 27 and 28 which are led into the top of the housing for application to the novel control in a manner to be described in a later section.

The washing machine is shown equipped with a pump 30 and a gear box 31, the function of the latter being to transmit continuous motion from a jack shaft 32 for transformation in the gear box into part-rotary reciprocal motion for the agitator shaft 23. A belt drive 35 extends 'from the motor 22 to the jack shaft 32; and a clutch 36 is provided for the optional connection of the pump 30 and the agitator shaft to the jack shaft 32. V

For the purpose of the present control, an arm 40 extends underneath the tub 21 to make a linking connection with the agitator shaft 23 illustrated in Fig. 2, such connection involving the passage of a bolt 41 from the shaft into an opening 42 in the. arm 40. The result of thisconnection is that the arm receives longitudinal reciprocating motion when the agitator shaft is in operation; and this motion is transmitted from the outer end of the arm to a vertical arm 45 by pivoting the arm 40 to the arm 45 at 46. The arm 45 is pivoted at its upper end to the casing of the control, as willbe described in a later section, so that the arm 45 will undergo an oscillating motion when actuated by the arm 40, as stated.

An arm 48 is situated below the arm 40 and acts at one end as a shifter for the clutch 36, being pivoted at the other end, as indicated at 49, to the housing of the washing machine. A connecting rod 50 extends upwardly from the arm 48 to a point near the control; and a mechanism in the latter may be actuated to depress the connecting rod 50 with the result of connecting the clutch 36 to the pump.

The casing of the control is indicated at 55, the same being of open construction with side walls 56 and 57, a bottom 58 and a top plate 59. Fig. 1 shows that the top 60 of the washing machine is made with an opening 61 near thefront into which the control extends, the top plate 59 overlying the top 60 and being secured to the latter by screws 62. The control is thus in a handy position in the frontal part of the washing machine.

The casing has upper and lower angle plates 65 and 66, these being perforated to serve as bearings for a f series of vertical push bars 67, 68 and 69. The push bars are surmounted by push buttons 70, 71 and 72,

respectively. The push buttons 71 are of a routine character and designed to institute different periods of operation by the washing machine or other appliance. Thus, the first button 71 (next to button 70 as seen in Fig. 5) may be marked synthetics, Silks, Etc., and designed to procure a short washing operation, while the next button 71 in line may be marked Aprons, Shirts, Housedresses, Etc. for a slightly longer operation, and so on. The push button 70 is a special one designed for putting the pump 30 into operation; and the push button 72 is an emergency control effective to stop the operation of the machine at will.

The push bars are made with stems 75 of reduced width in their lower portions, such stems receiving booster springs 76 to raise the push buttons in case they are depressed from the full line position indicated in Figs. 5 and 6 to the one indicated by dot-and-dash lines. The push bars are retained'in their top positions by a universal member or top bar 78 of a rocker frame 79 which is pivoted on a cross-bar 80 supported in the casing side walls 56 and 57. The top bar 78 of the rocker frame is drawn toward the front of the casing by a spring 81 and into a series of notches 82 made in the rear edges of the push bars 67, 68, etc. However, the notches are extended upwardly with earns 83 by means of which the depression of any button will crowd the top bar 78 of the rocker assasse frame in forward direction; and the continued depression of the button will cause the said top bar to be received in an upper notch 84 made in the push bar, such notch defining and retaining the low position of the same. The push bars 67 and 68 all have the upper notch 84, but the final push bar 69 does not have any such notch. Therefore, should any of the push buttons 70 or 71 be locked in the depressed position by the top bar 78, the depression of the push button 72 will cause such top bar to be crowded out of the notch 84 of the affected push bar, causing the same to return to original position; and the release of the push button 72 will of course cause it to return to original position. In other words, the push button 72 is a clearing control for the remaining push buttons, so that any action induced by the latter may be stopped at will by actuating the push button 72.

Fig. 6 shows more clearly that a pair of blades 85 are set in insulation blocks 86 in the bottom of the control casing and carry contact studs 87 at the top. The blades 85 are in the washing machine motor circuit and connected to the leads 27 and 28 thereof, as indicated in Fig. l. The rocker frame 79 has a bottom bar 89 which carries an insulation disc 90 on its upper side. When a push button 71 is depressed with the effect of crowding the top bar 78 of the rocker frame rearwardly, the bottom bar 89 swings forwardly and applies the disc 90 with pressure against the rear blade 85, pressing its contact stud 87 into engagement with that of the companion blade 85. This action puts the washing or other machine into operation; and it follows that, in anemergency or if it is so desired, the machine may be stopped simply by pressing the button 72.

To take theoperation of a washing machine as an example, such operation may be instituted as described by depressing any of the push buttons 71. The choice of these depends upon the extent to which the operation is to be timed, and the control has a unique mechanism for automatically timing the washing machine operations. This mechanism originates with the oscillatory arm 45; and Fig. 8 shows that the upper end portion of this arm is pivoted on the cross-bar 80 of the rocker frame 79.

The arm carries a pawl 95 which is drawn by a spring 96 to feed a ratchet wheel 97 carried by a feed screw 98 which is iournaled in the side walls 56 and 57 of the casing 55. These walls also carry a rod 100 in parallelism to the feed screw 98 and a short distance in front thereof.

A carriage 102 is disposed over the feed screw 98 and rod 100, having side wings 103 journaled on the rod. The carriage is thus pivoted on the latter as well, whereby to maintain a follower 104 in or out of contact with the thread of the feed screw. Normally, the follower is kept out of contact with the feed screw by the bottom bar 89 of the rocker frame 79 as positioned according to Fig. 6, such bar bearing against a lug 105 secured to the carriage 102 by a rivet 106. However, when the rocker frame swings in response to the pressure of a push button 71 in the manner previously described, such as to the position indicated in Fig. 7, its bottom bar 89 bears on a forward extension 108 of the lug 105, depressing the follower 104 into engagement with the feed screw thread.

The extension 108 is a leaf spring in order to cushion the application of the follower and relieve the feed screw of undue friction.

It is now apparent that the ratchet wheel feed induced by the oscillatory motion of the arm 45 will procure the travel of the carriage 102 toward the left-hand side of the control device, as seen in Fig. 5, at such time as a push button is depressed. A coil spring 110 is wound on the rod 100 between the carriage and the side wall 57, such coil spring resisting the advance of the carriage; and the latter has an oblique cam lug 112 at the rear and below the line of push bars 67, 68, etc. When this cam lug meets a depressed push bar, its action will be to crowd the same from below until it overcomes the pressure of the top bar 78 of the rocker frame 79 and rises to its original position assisted by the spring 76. This action cuts off the current for the washing machine; and the return swing of the rocker frame releases the pressure of its bottom bar 89 on the lug extension 108, and bears on the rearwardly located lug 105, raising the follower 104 off the feed screw. The carriage thus becomes freed of the same and is immediately returned by the spring 110 to its original position.

The bottom 58 of the control casing carries a bell 115;

and a striker 116 is provided for the same. The striker has its top portion freely rolled around the rod 100, as indicated at 117; and the rolled portion is spaced from the trailing end of the carriage by a coil spring 118. The bottom 58 is cut with a slot 120 below the course of the feed screw 98, the striker 116 extending down through the slot into the hollow of the bell. The progress of the carriage moves the striker along with the carriage and without incident. However, when the carriage is released for return to its original position, such return causes the striker to hit the bell from the inner side, as shown in Fig. 5, the spring 118 absorbing the shock of the striker.

It may now be assumed that the actuation of any push button 71 will procure a washing machine operation timed as prescribed by the button selected, so that the operation will stop automatically, or may be stopped at will by the actuation of the push button 72. In either case, it is desirable to operate the pump for draining the machine in consequence, and the push button 70 is therefore actuated for this purpose. The push bar 67 30 of this button is adapted to bear downwardly on a lever 125 hinged to the front of the casing 55 at 126 and formed with a rearward bend 127 which is coupled to the connecting rod 50. The lever is supported yieldingly from the casing by a spring 128. Thus, the actuation of the push button 70 will cause the shifter arm 48 to be depressed and the pump to be put in action. The engagement of the clutch 36 with the pump causes the simultaneous disengagement of the clutch with the agitator shaft 23 of the washing machinemechanism, so that no motion is transmitted to the latter.

It will now be apparent that the novel control has a number of advantageous features. First, it serves as a push button adjunct to any household utility having periodic operations. Further, it includes a timing device which is driven by the prime mover of the machine or appliance. Further, the control has a variety of functions, such as to operate the appliance, operate an alternative unit such as a pump, and includes an emergency or voluntary stop. Further, it makes possible the use of an index chart apportioned among the routine push buttons or marked alongside the same on the top plate as a guide to set the machine for automatically timed periods of operation prescribed for various materials. Further, it has an alarm effective when an operation has been completed to apprise the operator-such as in the case of a washing machinethat it is advisable to remove laundry from the same before it becomes soiled by the unclean wash water. Further, the control compensates for the slowing down of an agitator in a washing machine due to overloading by prolonging the washing period and so rendering a thorough operation. Finally, the control is a small and compact unit which may be installed conveniently in the housing of a conventional washing machine or similar utility without prejudice to the position or function of other parts therein.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refineinents as may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A timing device having a support, a feed element operable in one portion thereof, a series of push bars slidable in and out of another portion, the outer ends of the push bars carrying push buttons, a yieldable element resisting the inward movement of each push bar, means for retaining only one push bar at a time normally at the outer end of its movement and at the inner end of its movement when its push button is depressed, such means overcoming the resistance of said yieldable element, and a follower responsive to said feed element by traveling transversely of said feed bar series, such follower having means impinging on the push bar situated at said inner end with sufiicient force to disengage said retaining means and return the push bar to its outward position.

2. The structure of claim 1, and another element actuated by said retaining means to apply the follower to said feed element on the inward movement of said push bar.

3. The structure of claim 1, said feed element comprising a screw, said follower 'slidable along the screw, means for guiding the sliding movement of the follower, and pivoting means for the latter on said guiding means permitting the follower to move into and out of engagement with said screw. a

4. The structure of claim 1, said feed element comprising a screw, said follower slidable along the screw, means for guiding the sliding movement of the follower, pivoting means for the latter on said guiding means permitting the follower to move into and out of engagement with said screw, and another element extended from the follower in the path of said retaining means and effective to depress the follower and apply the same to the screw in response to the inward movement of said push bar,

5. The structure of claim 1, said feed element comprising a screw, said follower slidable along the screw, means for guiding the sliding movement of the follower, pivoting means for the latter on said guiding means permitting the follower to move into and out of engagement with the screw, another yieldable element extended from the follower in the path of said retaining means and efiective to asaspss depress the follower and apply it to said screw in response to the inward movement of said push bar, and another element effective on the disengagement of said retaining means to retract the follower from the screw.

6. The structure of claim 1, said feed element comprising a screw, a carriage positioned for travel along the screw and supporting the follower, means guiding the movement of the carriage and pivoting it to move the follower into and out of engagement with the screw, a second element extended from the carriage in the path of said retaining means and effective to depress the carriage and apply the follower to the screw in response to the inward movement of said push bar, and other means effective on the disengagement of said. retaining means to swing the carriage in a direction to retract the follower from the screw, said retaining means comprising a rocken frame with a cross-bar positioned to be crowded away from said push bars on the inward movement of any of them, and said rocker-frame having a bottom bar as the immediate actuator of said second element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,370,747 Ide Mar. 8, 1921 1,457,367 Hube'rs June 5, 1923 1,961,871 Caskey June 5, 1934 2,096,620 Robertson Oct. 19, 1937 2,391,718 Lindemann Dec. 25, 1945 2,434,199 Dyer Jan. 6, 1948. 2,534,014 Gayring et al Dec. 12, 1950 2,556,095 Loewenstein June 5, 1951 2,561,987 Elliott July 17, 1951 2,579,598 Morrison Dec. 25, 1951 2,585,018 Kreitchman et al Feb. 12, 1952 2,641,661 Puerner et a1 June 9, 1953 

